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Military Ordnance Specialists

Military Career

General Information

Description

Ordnance specialists are responsible for the safety, security, and accountability of the Military’s weapons and ammunition. They perform a wide variety of duties, including the safe receipt, storage, and transport of ordnance. Some of these specialists deal solely with the destruction and demilitarization of explosive items, while some deal solely with maintenance and repair.

Work Environment

Ordnance specialists work indoors and outdoors. They work in repair shops while assembling explosives and repairing weapons. They work outdoors while repairing equipment in the field and loading weapons on tanks, ships, or aircraft.

Workplace at a Glance

What you can expect to experience while on the job

  • Responsibility
  • Exposure to job hazards
  • Physical activity
  • Decision making
  • Repetitiveness
  • Level of competition
  • Time pressure

Related Military Careers

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Military Outlook

Service Branches

Jobs in this career field may be available in other service branches. Call or email a particular branch for more info.

Military Status

  • Enlisted
    • Hands-on/specialized
    • High school diploma required

Military Workforce

Ordnance Specialists in the Military

119,818

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Salary

Salary Information

Median Military Salary This is the median, or the midpoint, of the salary range for this career.

$61,642

Military Salary Range Salary varies based on years of service, degree level, special pays, family status and location. Learn more about Military benefits.

$22,441 - $294,189

What makes up a Military salary?

Military salaries include a lot more than just base pay.

They also offer:

  • Housing allowances
  • Subsistence allowances
  • Special and incentive pays
  • Cost-of-living allowances
  • Hazardous-duty pay
  • Bonuses

Learn more about what goes into a salary with the compensation estimator

Learn more about military insurance and retirement benefits

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Education

Military training

All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training. Ordnance specialists in the Military will gain skills through classroom study and on-the-job experience. Job-specific training content may include: Maintenance of nuclear weaponsHandling, testing, and maintenance of missiles and rocketsAmmunition identification and ammunition-related publicationsAmmunition/maintenance operationsExplosives demolition operationsOperation of automated and manual ammunition management systemsBasic electronics/electricity fundamentalsHazards and identification of United States and foreign munitionsDemolition materials, procedures, and operationsChemical and biological ordnance and operationsChemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive incident defense (CBRNE)

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Military training

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All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training. Ordnance specialists in the Military will gain skills through classroom study and on-the-job experience. Job-specific training content may include:

  • Maintenance of nuclear weapons
  • Handling, testing, and maintenance of missiles and rockets
  • Ammunition identification and ammunition-related publications
  • Ammunition/maintenance operations
  • Explosives demolition operations
  • Operation of automated and manual ammunition management systems
  • Basic electronics/electricity fundamentals
  • Hazards and identification of United States and foreign munitions
  • Demolition materials, procedures, and operations
  • Chemical and biological ordnance and operations
  • Chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive incident defense (CBRNE)

Skills at a Glance

Skills helpful in this career

  • Verbal skills
  • Critical thinking & problem solving
  • Equipment operation & maintenance
  • Math & science skills
  • Technology design & control
  • Leadership
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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.